Joel Kristianson (Owner/Architect)

Joel started in design and construction during high school with the District 203 Building Trades program. He and seven other students built a single-family home from scratch. They worked on every facet of construction from the concrete foundation to the final painting. After high school, he worked part time for a local builder where he acquired his carpentry skills and developed an interest in architecture. Joel went on to architecture school at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) where he completed the five-year bachelor of architecture program and graduated with honors. After graduation he was associated with a commercial architecture firm, while completing his profession licensure examinations and honing his design skills. After six years with the firm, he set out with his brother to form Crimson Design & Construction. Joel’s wife, Karen, is also an architect whose firm specializes in commercial design and interiors, so architecture is a language spoken both on the job and at home. Joel and Karen recently remodeled their home in south Naperville where they reside with their two children.

What clients have to say about Joel

” Joel Kristianson, the architect of the firm, did a great job of the layout.  It was a bathroom project, plus creating a laundry room adjacent to the bathroom, and his design captured the essence of what we were after with the spaces that we had.” – John & Rita

Neil Kristianson (Owner/Production Manager)

Neil completed his first construction project at the age of five and to this day his father still uses the wooden toolbox he built. Throughout high school Neil showed a genuine appreciation for construction and design, taking many drafting and architecture courses. In college he pursued business and graduated from Northern Illinois University (NIU) with a Bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurial Management. After graduation Neil had the chance to work for a respected builder where he learned many hands on skills. From there it was a natural progression to a local lumber yard where he worked for eight years as a buyer and manager before starting Crimson. Neil and his wife, Jennine, recently had the opportunity to build their own home. This has given him a new point of reference to better understand client’s needs.

What clients have to say about Neil

“Thanks for everything you’ve done for us this year.  Thanks for having such high standards and for striving for perfection in all things, big and small.  Thanks for being so honest & forthright.  It’s so nice for us to be able to trust the guys running the show!”  - Jim & Sarah

Jen Sommerio-Bodoh (Office Manager)

Jen is a graduate of Illinois State University with a degree in mass communication.  She began her career as a marketing assistant for a local real estate agency.  After realizing she enjoyed working in the housing industry, she took a position as the office manager for a different real estate agency.  Four years later, Jen was determined to learn a different side of the industry and went to work for a construction company.  Working there taught Jen many job skills necessary to her current position as the office manager of Crimson Design and Construction.

Jen handles all the ‘behind the scenes’ duties at Crimson, including payroll, billing, project management coordination and special projects.  Jen greets all clients when they stop by our office and is normally the friendly voice on our phones.  Jen wants clients to know they can always call the office for assistance.  She has her finger on the pulse of Crimson.

Jen lives with her husband in Downers Grove and enjoys spending time with her family, friends and pets.

 Carolyn Conklin (Designer/Selections Coordinator)

Born and raised in Central Florida, Carolyn had an interest in architecture and design at an early age. Fascinated with floor plans from magazines, she would draft her own floor plans and place furniture in it for fun. After high school, Carolyn moved to Birmingham, Alabama to pursue a degree in Interior Design at Samford University. While there, her love of design blossomed even more as she studied both residential and commercial design practices. During her last year of school, she was given the opportunity to intern here at Crimson where she got hands-on experience in design by meeting with clients, making selections, and creating models with Crimson’s 3D modeling software.

Today, Carolyn works full-time for Crimson as Designer and Selections Coordinator. She enjoys the fun and challenge that Crimson offers and is committed to giving clients her best at all times.